Top things to do this week: Fetish Con, comedians Doug Benson, Jim Florentine

ALESSANDRA DA PRA | Times (2017)
Stripper Ariel, 26, of Riley, NC, in rope suspension at the annual Fetish Con trade show and convention at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront on Saturday, August 12, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Actor Doug Benson arrives at the Premiere Of HBO\u2019s Final Season Of \u201CEastbound And Down\u201D at Avalon on September 27, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

KINK: Fetish Con

Now in its 18th year, Fetish Con returns to the downtown Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront for four days of antics this weekend, bringing hundreds of bondage and fetish models, as well as vendors and exhibitors selling clothing, latex, corsets, shoes, rope and toys. It’s not all kink. There are also lectures, workshops and demonstrations, plus an erotic art show, private dungeon space and an exclusive Pervy Pool Party for pass holders. You must be 18 or older to attend. It opens with a Kinky Red Carpet at 7 p.m. Thursday and runs through Sunday, with the third annual Fetish Awards, followed by a Fetish Ball and Bash After Party. 333 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $40 per day; $100 all access. (727) 894-5000. fetishcon.com.

COMEDY: Doug Benson, Adam Ray, Jim Florentine

Some edgy comedians will be swinging through the Tampa Bay area this week, including stoner king Doug Benson doing a one-night-only show on Wednesday at the Improv at Centro Ybor. When he was last here, the Super High Me star recorded his hugely popular comedy podcast Doug Loves Movies, but this time it will be his standup routine. 8 p.m. 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. (813) 864-4000. $20. improvtampa.com.

You might remember comedian Adam Ray from his role in the Sandra Bullock-Melissa McCarthy buddy comedy The Heat, when he played a nightclub manager who had to be distracted so a bug could be placed on his mobile phone. His podcast About Last Night with Fun Size comedian Brad Williams is a mainstay on the iTunes Charts, bringing along celebrity friends including Bullock and comedians Jim Jefferies and Iliza Shlesinger. Friday through Sunday, he’ll be doing standup at the Improv. $12-$15.

Best known from the Comedy Central prank show Crank Yankers and VH1’s That Metal Show, comedian Jim Florentine this year released a new book Everybody’s Awful; Except You that unleashes his rage at Twitter trolls, Facebook braggarts and Instagram exhibitionists. He’s known as a bitingly edgy comedian with a dark side and he’s performing Thursday through Sunday at Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. $10-$16.50. (813) 960-1197. sidesplitterscomedy.com.

KIDS: Last Blast of Summer

We’re closing on the last weekends of summer vacation, so let the kids blow off some steam at Great Mess-Ploration. From 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Great Explorations Children’s Museum explores messy art and science including shaving cream art, shake painting, tie dye and sticky sand castles. 1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Included with admission. $10, $9 seniors, 1 and younger free.

And over at the Glazer Children’s Museum, they will be having a Last Blast of Summer party 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday with games and snacks including an ice cream social, summer crafts, corn hole, sack races, agility courses, parachute play and more. 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. Included with admission. $15, $12.50 military/seniors, $9.50 children, 1 and younger free.